Safety First: Protect Yourself on a First Date
1. Always meet in a public place. Choose a coffee shop, casual restaurant, or a park with plenty of foot traffic. Most criminals (and weirdos) don’t like an audience.
2. Avoid nightclubs, hotel lobbies, or fancy restaurants inside hotels. Why? Because, like it or not, meeting at a hotel sends the wrong message. And let’s be real—first dates should be about conversation, not “bedroom exercises.”
3. Have a backup plan. Tell a friend where you’ll be and have them ready to call or pick you up if things go south.
4. Keep cash on hand. If you need to make a quick exit or grab a taxi, you don’t want to be stuck relying on anyone else.
5. Dress for comfort. Not only should you feel confident, but in case you have to make a quick getaway (hey, you never know), you’ll be prepared.
Mind Your Manners: The First Date Etiquette Rules You Need to Know
6. Be on time. It shows respect. If your date can’t manage to be on time, that says a lot, too.
7. Stay off your phone. Give your date your full attention—texting mid-conversation is just plain rude.
8. Actually listen. People will tell you exactly who they are if you just pay attention. If “crazy” is their best friend, you’ll hear it in their stories.
9. Share the conversation. No one wants to sit through a monologue about your life. Ask questions, engage, and show genuine interest.
10. Don’t judge or criticize. The first date isn’t a job interview—it’s about seeing if you enjoy each other’s company.
Who Pays? A Lesson from My ‘Smurf’ Date
Now, let’s get to the infamous who-pays-for-the-date debate. In a perfect world, many of us still expect the man to pick up the check. But ladies, always be prepared to cover your own meal. Here’s why…
I once met a charming man at a gas station—he pulled up in a sleek black sports car and, with the smoothest approach, invited me to dinner at Red Lobster. I was flattered and said yes. Fast forward to the date—I was sitting outside, waiting on a picturesque bench covered in creeping flowers, when my mystery man pulled up in that same shiny car.
Then, he got out… and surprise! He was short. Like, really short. (Yes, "Smurf" is my code for short.) But hey, height isn’t everything, right?
Dinner started off fine—until the Smurf ordered the Ultimate King Crab & Lobster feast with three types of shrimp. Meanwhile, I played it modest with Walt’s Dozen Fried Shrimp for $12.99. You can probably guess what happened next —when the check came, my little Smurf expected me to split the bill!
Needless to say, that was our first and last date.
Final First Date Takeaways
• Be safe and smart about where you meet.
• Give your date your full attention—listen, engage, and be polite.
• Don’t expect too much. The first date is just a vibe check.
• And always, always be ready to pay your share—just in case your date turns out to be a Smurf who loves lobster.
First dates should be fun, safe, and drama-free. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to finding someone worth your time!
My Blog at http://jerreeceannjackson.blogspot.com
and my https://jerreecejackson.medium.com/
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